American Birds published in the journal Canada Jay name change proposal The Auk: Ornithological Advances . I’m con - fident that Dan Strickland and Carla An effort to reinstate an historic name Cicero’s proposal to restore the official name Canada Jay will be approved. By Ron Pittaway The federal government may be more likely to consider the Canada Jay as our national bird if an official name change is made. The Canada Jay is the perfect can - didate for a national bird because it is non- migratory and found in all 10 provinces and three territories. In addition, it has not been chosen as the official bird of any province or territory, making it fully eligi - ble as a national bird with no political con - flicts. In our 151 st year as a country, it is time that the Canada Jay be our national bird. An Act of Parliament will be needed to make the Canada Jay / Mésangeai du Canada our official bird emblem.
Ron is a past editor of OFO News and Ontario Birds , and received OFO’s Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2005.
President’s message Many birders think of summer as the doldrums of the birding year, Canada Jay in Algonquin Park but it's not true. Photo by Jean Iron While birds are not as easy to find in the sum - hen the American Ornitholo - of California, Berkeley) have made a joint mer months, the challenge is worth it. Most gists’ Union (AOU) changed the proposal to the American Ornithological passerines are breeding in June and into July, Wname of Canada Jay to Gray Jay in Society (AOS) to “restore Canada Jay as and it is fascinating to observe their behaviour 1957, many Canadian ornithologists and the English name of Perisoreus canaden - during this crucial time. See if you can find the birders were saddened and disappointed, sis. ” It is one of the few birds whose scien - birds in your patch, and challenge yourself to but did not protest. Recent investigations tific name is derived from Canada. The observe where they nest, how they avoid by Dan Strickland (retired Chief Park Nat - proposal is supported by five Canadian predators, and how different species interact. uralist of Algonquin Provincial Park) ornithologists, including the president of Remember to bird responsibly — observe revealed that the 1957 name change was the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. nests from a distance. arbitrary and unnecessary. The topic of a The Canada Jay is the logo bird of its jour - Colonial water birds such as Double-crested name change has come to the forefront nal Avian Conservation & Ecology. The Cormorants are easily observed, and ducks because Canada does not have an official decision on the name change proposal will and other waterfowl will be leading their national bird. In 2016, the Gray Jay was be announced this July 2018 in the 59th young on lakes and rivers. In late June, the selected by the Royal Canadian Geograph - supplement to the Check-list of North southward shorebird migration begins as adult ic Society (RCGS) as its candidate for shorebirds vacate the breeding grounds. Canada's national bird, after the RCGS Canada Jay UPDATE carefully considered thousands of public There is really no pause in the birding year and expert comments. However, the Gov - OFO New s learned recently that the proposal — just different and wonderful experiences ernment of Canada is not actively consid - to restore Canada Jay as the official name of and facets of bird life to observe and enjoy. ering proposals to adopt any bird as a the species was accepted by the American national symbol. Ornithological Society. This decision will be Good birding, Lynne Freeman, Despite this, Dan Strickland and Amer - published in the 59th supplement to the OFO President ican ornithologist Carla Cicero (University Check-list of North American Birds in the July issue of The Auk.
10 OFO News June 2018